How to Clean Mushrooms: 7 Tips for Cleaning Mushrooms

Mushrooms belong to the fungi kingdom; they regenerate on their own through the germination of their spores, which is very similar to how plants seed. But unlike plants and animals, they don't consume food or light to grow; instead, they digest the very nutrients they secrete.

There are thousands of mushroom species, and each is quite different, with the most pertinent distinction being whether they're edible or poisonous. Common types of mushrooms include button mushrooms, cremini mushrooms, and portobello mushrooms.

Sliced mushrooms from the grocery store are primarily cooking mushrooms prepared at the store, and as a result, rarely need cleaning. Other mushrooms might come from a sterile environment with sterile manure, but the dirt that sticks to their surfaces doesn’t taste good, so you might opt to wash them before cooking or consuming them.

Washing mushrooms doesn’t always have to involve water. You can clean mushrooms with just a few paper towels and a mushroom brush. The lack of water prevents the fungi from soaking up additional moisture, which would make them waterlogged and prevent them from getting crispy as they cook.

Cleaning mushrooms does not have to be a complicated process. In addition to using as little running water as necessary, here are a few other considerations to keep in mind:

1. 1. Determine the type. Most mushrooms require the same cleaning process, but some, like morel mushrooms, require more care. Slice morels in half and rinse them off briefly in cool water. Pat them dry with paper towels once they’re free of all debris.
2. 2. Use a paper towel. You can wipe off the dirt with a damp paper towel or damp cloth if you find a lot of heavy residue on your mushrooms. Don’t go too heavy with the water or the pressure, as you don’t want to ruin your mushrooms.
3. 3. Try a quick rinse. You shouldn’t have to give your mushrooms a deep cleaning. Instead, try rinsing them briefly under the faucet in the sink if you must use water.
   
4. 4. Use a mushroom brush. There are specialty tools out there just for this task, and a mushroom brush is one of them. Use it to lightly brush off any excess dirt. If you don’t have one, a pastry brush works just as well.
5. 5. Use as little water as necessary. Mushrooms are porous, so they function as sponges, soaking up water so that it’s difficult to get them crispy later.
6. 6. Use proper storage. Opt to place your mushrooms in a paper bag. Although plastic bags can be more convenient, condensation can give the mushrooms an unsavory texture. If you have to use a plastic bag, don’t seal it up tight, so that air can circulate throughout the bag. Keep mushrooms in your refrigerator.

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